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Learning how to remove acrylic nails at home can be challenging. There is nothing in the world like a fresh set of nails to empower you and boost your self-esteem. However, getting your nails done typically requires a trip back to the salon to fill them and soak them off.
You’re already at the salon so you should just go ahead and get a fresh set, right? It’s a vicious cycle. If you don’t have time to hit the salon to get those pesky nails off, here are some tips that can help.
The first step in learning how to remove acrylic nails at home is trimming your nails. Grab some acrylic cutter or toenail clippers and trim the length of your nail extensions. Avoid cutting straight on–start from one side and work your way to the other to remove excess length. Cutting down to your natural nail makes the removal process much easier. The less acrylic you have to remove, the better.
Begin filing down the acrylic on top of your natural nails. Since acrylic is tough, you’ll want a rough nail file with a coarse exterior. Have patience because this can take some time but it’s worth it not to damage your natural nail.
Keep filing until you don’t see any more shine on the acrylic part of the nail. Ensure that you file gently so you don’t cause any damage. The less coating your nails have from filing, the less time you’ll spend soaking them. Consider switching to a more gentle nail file as you get closer to your natural nail.
Now it’s time for the acetone to soak off your nails. There are a few different ways you can perform this process. You can soak your nails in a bowl of acetone or you can use foil to wrap your nails while they soak. Salons traditionally use the foil method, especially if you get a pedicure.
Don’t put acetone in the microwave. You can warm your bottle of acetone by running hot water over it from a faucet or using a hot towel or hot water under the bowl of acetone while you soak your nails. Use your other nails to scratch the acrylic off as you soak and they’ll come off faster. This process should take under half an hour.
If you opt for the foil method, soak some cotton balls in acetone, apply them to your nails and wrap them in foil. They should only need to soak for about 15-20 minutes. You can place a hot towel on your nails to accelerate the process.
Use a buffer to gently remove any residual glue or gunk left on your natural nails. Don’t apply too much force if it doesn’t come off easily. Try soaking them for another minute or two instead to loosen the remaining acrylic.
Wash your hands and then treat your nails to some essential vitamins and minerals to repair your damaged nails. Apply cuticle oil to rehydrate your nails and soften your cuticles. Use a hand cream or lotion to moisturize and strengthen your nail beds to restore healthy-looking nails.
While acrylic nails can make you feel fancy and polished, they can damage your natural nails. Now that you know how to remove acrylic nails at home, you don’t have to make back-to-back appointments. Consider taking some time between nail appointments to let your nails rest and rejuvenate
